Sad ain't it. When we were primitive hunter-gatherers, fear of the dark was a good thing. If you didn't fear the dark you died. It's something that's still programmed in us and the reason that displays such as the unfortunately-named Mr Assness are putting on are so successful is that they are an exultation, conquering the dark and all our primal fears, however much on the surface people might think they're just plain 'purty'. Until we get over it and realise we don't need to fear the dark anymore (a lion's not going to spring out and eat you if you leave the verandah light off), then we'll keep getting abominations like this.
Cheers -